Number of jobs ads grew fastest in Chicago in August

The number of online job ads grew more in the Chicago area during the month of August, than any other metropolitan area in the country, according to a report released this week.

Data from the Conference Board, an independent research group, found that 165,600 Internet job ads –- an indicator of labor demand - were placed in the Chicago area last month. That’s a gain of 9,400 job ads -- beating out metropolitan areas such as Detroit, San Francisco and Boston.

Across the state, employers sought 214,000 new hires and increase of 12,500 over July, according to the Conference Board.

Midwestern states, including: Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota Indiana, Iowa and North and South Dakota, boasted the largest growth in online jobs ads with 54,200 total new job ads.

Professional occupations including business and finance, computer and math jobs and health care showed the highest gains, according to the report, which was released earlier this week.

The data indicates employers believe they need more workers to meet consumer demand for products and services, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. IDES advertises 160,000 available jobs on its Web site, Illinoisjoblink.com.

“Private employers creating jobs to meet demand is an encouraging indicator that our economy is moving forward,” said IDES Director Jay Rowell in a statement.

The Conference Board looks at new, first-time online jobs and jobs reposted from previous months from over 16,000 Internet job boards and other sources, according to its Web site.